Dispensing closure



June 14, 1969 L. ALBIANI DISPENSING cLosuRE Filed Jan. 28, 1957 ,W w i. W,

United States Patent DISPENSING CLosURE Lido Albiani, Cicero, Ill., assigner, by mesne assignments, n; Morton Salt Company, Chicago, lll., a corporation o Illinois Filed January 28, 1957, Ser. No. 636,600

8 Claims. (Cl. Z22-'480) The principal object of this invention is to provide a new and improved dispensing closure.

Another object is to provide such a dispensing closure having a body insertable through the wall of a container, with an outer end extending just slightly outwardly of the container wall and a lid associated with the body to be flush with the outer end thereof in the closed position.

A further object is to provide such a dispensing closure wherein the outer end forms a continuous ange having a continuous .engagement with the container and a lid is associated with the body to have continuous engagement with the outer end when the lid is in the closed position, thereby to permit sealed closing of the container opening.

Still another object of the invention is to provide such a dispensing closure having new and improved means for retaining the lid in the closed position.

A yet further object is to provide such a dispensing closure having a polyangular shape providing an improved spout action during the dispensing of the material from the container.

Yet another object is to provide such a polyangular dispensing closure having a new and improved distributed opening structure for improved pouring action and eecting a substantially complete return of all particulate material tending to collcet on the closure subsequent to a v dispensing operation.

A yet further object is to provide such a dispensing closure with new and improved means for connecting the lid to the body, said means being arranged for automatic alignment of the lid with the body in a closing operation.

Other features and advantages of this invention will be apparent from the following description taken in connection with the accompanying drawings wherein:

lFig. l is an isometric view of a dispensing closure embodying the invention, installed on a container;

Fig. 2 is an enlarged top plan view of the closure of Fig. l with the lid thereof swung 180 degrees from the closed position;

Fig. 3 is a top plan view similar to that of Fig. 2 but with the lid in the closed position and with the closure shown installed on a portion of the container;

Fig. 4 is a front elevational view thereof;

Fig. 5 is a rear elevational view thereof;

Fig. 6 is a more greatly enlarged vertical section thereof with the lid in the normal open position;

Fig. 7 is a vertical section similar to that of Fig. 6 but with the lid in the closed position; and Y Fig. 8 is a section taken approximately along the line 8-8 of Fig. 7.

ICC

In the exemplary embodiment of the invention dis-V closed in the drawings, a dispensing closure is shown to comprise a body member 10 arranged to extend through an opening 11 provided in a container 12 adapted to hold a quantity of material to be dispensed, such as salt. 'Ihe bodymember is generally at or wafer-like and is provided with an outer end 13 which extends just slightly outwardly of the surface of that portion of the wall of container 12 deiining the periphery of opening 11. Associated with body member 10 is a lid member 14 alternatively receiveable within the body member to effect a closure thereof, and extendable outwardly of the body member to permit a dispensing operating therethrough. ln the instant invention, the lid member is arranged to be flush across the outer end l13 when it is in the closedA position and improved means are provided for hingedly connecting the lid member to the body member to permit this disposition land to maintain the lid member in an out of the way position during a dispensing operation. In the illustrated embodiment this connceting means comprises a pair of hinges 15 which additionally serve as a means for aligning the lid with the body member during a closing operation. Hinges 15 preferably extend from outer end 13 thereby allowing the outer end to have a continuous peripheral engagement with the body member around opening 11.

Coacting means are provided on the lid and body member to retain the lid removably ush across the outer end of the body member in the closed positon. A more detailed description thereof will-be made herefollowing, it being sufficient for a general understanding of the invention at this point to note that these means include rib elements 16 on the lid member and bead means 17 on the body member. The instant invention further comprehends the provision of a body member having an internal polyangular cross-section providing lan improved spout action during the dispensing of the particulate material. Further, a novel distribution of foramina 18 in a transveres inner wall 19 extending across the body member aids in this improved spout action and provides an improved action in returning any particulate material which may have remained temporarily on the body member subsequent to a dispensing operation.

A general description of the illustrated embodiment of the invention having been presented above, a more specific description of the elements thereof is made herefollowing. As best seen in Figs. 2 to 6, body member 10 conn prises a member having a laterally outwardly enlarged outer end 13 provided with a peripheral, outwardly opening groove 13a arranged to receive the inner peripheral edge 12a ofthe container wall portion deiining opening 11. To assist in the installation of the body member, the laterally outer surface 10a of the inner end of the body member may be beveled inwardly to spring the container wall slightly during insertion and allow it to snap into the groove 13a. As best seen in Fig. 2, outer end 13 eX- tends continuously to have an unbroken sealing engagement with the container wall, thereby precluding the passage lof undesirable materials, such as water vapor, into' the container, and precluding undesirable leaking of particulate material from the container outwardly.

Extending through the body member, from end to end thereof, is a stepped passage or bore 10b having an outer portion 10c, a relatively narrower inner portion 10d, and a transversely extending, peripheral shoulder 10e therebetween. It is preferred that passage outer portion 10c have a polyangular cross section, herein disclosed as tnangular. Bead means 17 extends marginally around the outer end of passage outer portion 10c, and wall 19 extends transversely across the inner end of inner passage portion 10d. Foramina 18 are generally uniformly distributed `throughout walt 19,y with ,a number thereof closely juxtaposed to the wall of the body member defining inner passage portion d. One foramen 18a, at

the'` apex; 107, ofl the body Vfmember, is arranged fto have its laterally outwardpoitiongcoineident; with; Ythe inner servesgasaY means for `controlling the` flow tofprovide 'an improyed'spoutelike. actiorr ,wherein` the dow is directed generally over the apex lof. Y Y f Lids member; 14A comprises a dat. closure elementiv havingga' peripheralgconguration; generallycomplementary tothc polyangular cornigurationgof passage outer portion 10a ofgthe body member. A depending peripheraL flange 1421i extends completely around Vthe margin of the lid member toV bereceivedfwithin passage portion 10c when thelidfis the closedposition off Fig. Y7. The longitudinal'extentofY ange 1'4armay be such that the inner tip 14b thereof will-be spaced slightly, fromshoulder 10e when the lid member is` disposed ush across the outer end of. the body member. Rib meansl, which may comprise discontinuous, separated elements as seen in Fig. 2, are spaced longitudinally inwardly from theouter surface of the lid member to be received inV outer passage portionYV 10c below the b ead 17 and toY extend transversely outwardly of the bead means into contact-with the body wall dening passage portion 10c. Thus when the lid member is disposed inthe closed position of Fig. 7, the ribelements coact with bead means 17 to lock releasably the lid in the closed position.

To limitrtheY inward movement of the lid member through passage; outer portion 10,c, flange entl 14B is disposed to abut shoulder "10e of the body'V member whenthe 1id,member is movedfjust 'slightly inwardly of Ythe flush position. Thus, rib elements 16 coacting withv bead means"17, and 'ange end 1'4b coactingwithshoulder 10e mutually coact topermit a limited movement of the lid member longitudinally within passage portion 10c. Y f Hinge means 15i extends from ,outery end' 13 lof the Vbody member todispose theV lid.` member in a position generally normal; to the transverse extent of body mem- Y ber 10 when the lid is, in the open position (as seen in Fig. 6).' Thus, duringa dispensingoperation, the lid member is automatically maintained out of' the path of ow of the material being/dispensed. l'Preferably, hinge means ,'1'5 comprises two such hinges, which hinges are spaced substantiallyv apart to provide improved alignment of' ther lid member withY the passageouter portion V10c to permita simple,gsubstantially fool-proof. closure operj ation. Y VAs best seen-in Figs. 6 and .7', hinges 15j are secured to the outer surface of the lid member, precluding any. interference with theflush positioning of the lidmember relative to outer end 13, in the .closed position thereon@ Y Y To assist in moving the lid member. from thev closed position, a tab. 14e is extended from the outer surface ofthe; lid kmember adjacent its apex to overlie` apex 10)c Y of the body member when the Vlid member is in the closed position. o As Vthe outer surface of the Vlid membery is flush-with' outer end 13, the disposition of tab 14e may Yof; the simple, integrated structure it may be formed advantageously by such mass production means as plas-V Yti: moulding. It is preferredithat the material have some resilient characteristics to provide theproper functioning ofhin'ges 15 andto allow the snappingv of the lid @einem member intothe passage VAportion 10c past thebead means lt is believed that the operation of the device is substantially self-evident from the above structural description. The closure is mounted on the container by inserting the inner end of the body` member through a suitable opening 1G provided in the container wall, until the surrounding container -wa'll portion' snapsy into place in groove 13a of the body member. AssumingA lid member i4* to beY disposed inthe open position of Fig. extending outwardly from the container'wall, to close the device, the l-id member is hingedly swung'on hinges 15 until it is received'in, passagefouter portion "10c, ribs =16 snapping past bead 17., Thelidpmembcr Yis then releasably locked between bead 17 and shoulder 10e of the body memberY and extends completely across the passage to effect a sealing closure thereof. Y

'To dispensel particulate material from the container, lid member 14 is swung tothe open` position of 'Fig'.VV 6 by manipulation of tab 14e. Container 12 is then disposed to effect the pouring of the material through foraminous wall 19, with` apex 10) of the body member disposed generally downwardly duringY the dispensing operation. Upon completionA of the dispensing operation, the container is returned to the upright position wherein the body member extends generally horizontally and any particulate material remaining,Y on the body member tends to fall backwardly into the container through the foraminouswall. This return of particulate material is aided in the disposition of foramen 18a at the apex of the body member as the material would normally tend to collect at this point subsequent to the completion of a dispensing operation and thus, substantially all ofthe material not actually dispensed will be returned to the container. 'Ifhismaintans the dispensing closure relatively Yfree of such material which would otherwise have a tendency to prevent proper closure thereof. The lid: member may then berreturned to the t lprising a body member xable in the -wallopening and having an outer end and an inner end, meanson the body member for securing it to said wall 'withinsaid opening,

said body member having a bore Yopen at ,said outer end thereof, laterally projecting means on the bodyl member protruding transversely into said bore at said outer` end, a perforation-containing wall extending transversely of the bore at the inner end', of said body member, andra lid for closingtheop'en outer end ,ofv said bore Yarranged to be received within the bore at saidouter end, hinge means connecting said lid to the body member and arranged to urge Ythe. lid outwardly from the body-member to maintain :the body member. unobstructed when desired, and said lid further having an outer surface and means projecting outwardly froml its periphery below its said .outer surface for c oaction with said laterally projecting means of the body mem-ber` to limitreleasably the outward` urging of the lid by said hinge means andrso as to locate said outer surface of the lid in essentially flush relation with the outer end surface of the body member when the lid is in bore closing position. Y Y

2. A dispensing closure according to claim l wherein said laterally projecting means of the bod-y member comprises an, inwardly directedV bead4 about the peripheral edge of its bore at its outer open end andthe means projecting outwardly from the periphery on the lid comprise spaced ribs which engage beneath said bead to releasably retain the lid within said open end of the bore.

3. A dispensing closure for use with a container having a wall provided with an opening, said closure comprising a body member insertable through the wall opening and having an outer end and an inner end, means on the body member for sealingly securing it to said Wall within said opening, said body member having a bore open at said outer end thereof, a continuous bead on the body member extending about and projecting transversely into said bore at said outer end, a perforationcontaining wall extending transversely of the bore at the inner end of said body member, and a lid for closing the open outer end of said bore arranged to be received Within the bore at said outer end, said lid having an outer surface, and strap-like hinge means joined to the body member and terminating in a portion overlying and joined to the top surface of the lid, said hinge means being arranged to urge the lid outwardly from the body member to maintain the bore ofsaid body member at its outer end unobstructed when desired, said lid further having spaced rib means projecting outwardly from its periphery below its said outer surface for coaction with said continuous bead to releasably retain the lid within said bore.

4. A dispensing closure for use with a container having a Wall provided with an opening, said closure comprising a body member insertable through the wall opening and having an outer end and an inner end, means on the body member for securing it to said Wall within said opening, said body member having a polyangular bore open at said outer end thereof, a bead on the body member projecting transversely into said bore at said outer end, and a polyangular lid for closing the open outer end of said bore arranged to be received within the bore at said outer end, spaced hinge means connecting a slide of said lid opposite an apex of its polyangular shape to the body member, said hinged means being arranged to urge the lid outwardly `from the body member to maintain the body member unobstructed when desired, and said lid further having an outer surface and means projecting outwardly from its periphery below its said outer surface for coaction with said bead to limit releaseably the outward urging of the lid by said hinge means and so as to locate said outer surface of the lid in essentially flush relation with the outer end of the body member when the lid is in bore closing position.

5. A dispensing closure for use With a container having a Wall provided with an opening, said closure comprising a body member insertable through the wall opening and having an outer end and an inner end, means on the body member for sealingly securing it to said Wall within said opening, said body member having a triangular bore open at said outer end thereof, bead means on the body member projecting transversely into said bore at said outer end, a perforation-containing Wall extending transversely of the bore at the inner end of said body member, and a triangular shaped lid for closing the open outer end of said bore arranged to be received within the bore at said outer end, hinge means connecting a side of said lid opposite an apex of its triangular shape to the body member said hinge means being adapted to urge the lid outwardly from the body member to maintain the body member unobstructed when desired, and said lid further having an outer surface and means projecting outwardly from its periphery below its said outer surface for coaction with said bead means to releaseably retain said lid within the bore and its outer surface in essentially ush relation with the outer end of the body member when the lid is in bore closing position, and spacer means about the periphery of said perforation-containing Wall to limit the penetration of said lid into the bore when in said bore closing position.

6. A dispensing closure for use with a container having a wall provided with an opening comprising a polyangular tubular member having an open outer end and a perforation-containing Wall extending transversely across the member at a distance from said open end, said tubular member having means for iixedly sealingly securing it within said opening in the said wall, a polyangular lid member associated with the tubular member to extend closingly across the open end, means 'hingedly connecting a side of said lid opposite an apex of its polyangular shape to the body member, and means on said lid and tubular members which coact to retain releaseably said lid member in a closed relation within the open end of the body member, said lid member further having handle means adjacent said mentioned apex for moving said lid out of closed position.

7. A dispensing closure for use with a container having a wall provided with an opening comprising a triangular tubular body having an open outer end and a perforation-containing Wall extending transversely across the body at a distance from said open end, said tubular body having means for xedly sealingly securing it within said opening in and to said wall, a triangular lid associated with the tubular body to extend closingly across the open end thereof, a pair of spaced yieldable links integrally hingedly connecting a side of said lid opposite an apex of its triangular shape to a corresponding side of the body, and said lid and tubular body having portions thereof which coact to retain releasably said lid in a closed relation Within the open end of the body, said lid further having handle means adjacent its said mentioned apex for moving said lid out of a closed position, and the apex of said triangular tubular body opposite the side thereof connected to-the lid providing a spout by which the contents of a container provided with the closure may be dispensed.

8. A dispensing closure according to claim 7 wherein the perforation-containing wall includes a perforation located in operative relation near said mentioned apex of the tubular body for advantageous pouring action and to permit undischarged material to :fall back into the container.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,983,101 Scribner Dec. 4, 1934 2,625,306 Murphy Ian. 13, 1953 2,687,831 Miller Aug. 31, 1954 2,690,961 Tupper Oct. 5, 1954 2,777,616 DeShazor Jan. 15, 1957 2,826,343 Albiani Mar. 11, 1958 2,828,894 Zimmerman Apr. 1, 1958 

